A RHYMING Reverend whose poetry has been gracing the pages of the Felixstowe Town Crier for ten years is celebrating the publication of his first book.

A RHYMING Reverend whose poetry has been gracing the pages of the Felixstowe Town Crier for ten years is celebrating the publication of his first book.

Reverend Canon Richard Tydeman, 87, of Felixstowe, has written a short poem for the Town Crier every month for the last ten years. Initialled simply with the letters 'RT', the poet's identity has remained a mystery to readers for the last decade and was only revealed in this month's issue.

Now more than 100 of his best poems, collected over the years, have been compiled in a book called Slight Verse which he says is intended to "cause interest, thought and, above all, laughter."

The book was officially launched with a signing at Magpie Books in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe on Wednesday where Felixstowe mayor Doreen Savage was presented with the first autographed copy.

She said: "I really like Richard's poems because they are so easy to read. They are a simple format but very cleverly written and they always make me laugh."

Mr Tydeman who has ministered at churches in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Newmarket, and is now Canon Emeritus of St Edmundsbury, began his literary career over 50 years ago writing short plays known as mini-dramas. These have since been performed all over the world and picked up awards at local drama festivals in Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Lowestoft.

Mr Tydeman, of Colneis Road, said: "I write about anything that strikes me as amusing. Once I get the inspiration for something it generally takes me about half an hour to write it up.

"I've been doing it for so long now that it's very easy to think in rhyme.

"Several people have said to me over the years that I should compile my work in a book and it's wonderful to see it finally in print."

Slight Verse by Richard Tydeman is available at all local bookshops, including Magpie Books, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, priced £7.99, or from the publishers at www.upfrontpublishing.com

An example of his work:

RT writes one verse at a time;

His poems are seldom sublime;

They are hardly a feast

Of wit - but at least

They make sense, and they

Scan, and they rhyme!